Volunteers are needed by the Sea Watch Foundation to count sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises in waters off Dorset between Saturday 29th July and Sunday 6th August as part of the 16th National Whale and Dolphin Watch.

There’ll be a land watch at Portland Bill on Sat 29th July and Sun 6th August, a land watch at Kimmeridge on Wed 2nd August, a land watch at Durlston on Thurs 3rd August and a boat trip (tickets £8) from Weymouth Harbour on Sat 5th August.

On Thursday 3rd August a full day of dolphin watching will take place at Durlston, where volunteers are dedicating their efforts to the memory of John Dando, a former dolphin watcher of 27 years.

Dolphin Watchers the late John Dando, and Thelma Deacon in 2016

Durlston Dolphin Watch was established in 1988, as many dolphins were seen from the cliff tops.

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At 100 feet above sea level, the Durlston cliff top coast path can give views of dolphins up to a mile off shore.

Durlston Ranger Paul Jones said: “So far we have fourteen of our Dolphin Watchers (some of whom have been active even longer than Mr. Dando) available for the day who will be glad to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors.

“We are glad to have some fresh faces, but would welcome more as well. Can anyone spare an hour a week?”

Regular Durlston Dolphin Watchers receive free Dolphin Text alerts, something which the public can subscribe to for only £5 per year.

“Our most recent report came on 9th July from the National Coast watch Institute (NCI) at St. Albans Head Lookout,” said Paul.

Durlston Bay dolphins spotted in 2016 (Image: Hamish Murray)

“Four bottlenose dolphins were seen 3 miles off shore! Reports from St. Albans or Portland NCI Lookouts can often give us an up to one hour’s notice before the dolphins arrive at Durlston.

"This is when our sending out text alerts can be most useful.

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“In 2016 we had 59 marine mammal wildlife sightings and I was lucky to share the sighting of a Bottlenose Dolphin with a school group earlier this year. Our marine visitor spent several days focused on a fishing pot off Tilly Whim caves.

"On a good day at Durlston you may even hear dolphins exhale through their blow holes when they surface to take in air.”

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“We’re particularly looking for wildlife enthusiasts in your area to help us cover the Dorset coast.”

Sea Watch Foundation would like it if you’d consider running a watch of your own as the more data that can be collected, the better.

Email nwdw@seawatchfoundation.org.uk to tell them about a watch that you will be doing or to ask their advice about how to conduct a watch of your own.

On Saturday 8th July, a pod of around 30 dolphins were spotted near Old Harry Rocks; in Lyme Bay 28 common dolphins were seen in May and the following month 2 white beaked dolphins were seen; 2 Risso’s dolphin were seen off Chesil Beach in May and also that same month, 2 bottlenoses were spotted at Branksome Beach, 10 at Seacombe, and 11 at Durlston Country Park Swanage.